_How Sir Tristram was unhorsed and smitten down by Sir Launcelot, and
after that Sir Tristram smote down king Arthur._
Then was the cry of heralds and all manner of common people, The green
knight hath done marvellously, and beaten all them of Orkney. And there
the heralds numbered that Sir Tristram, that sat upon the black horse,
had smitten down twenty knights; and Sir Palamides had smitten down
twenty knights; and the most part of these fifty knights were of the
house of king Arthur, and proved knights. Truly, said Arthur unto Sir
Launcelot, this is a great shame to us to see four knights beat so many
knights of mine; and therefore make you ready, for we will have ado
with them. Sir, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well that there are two
passing good knights, and great worship were it not to us now to have
ado with them, for they have this day sore travailed. As for that, said
Arthur, I will be avenged, and therefore take with you Sir Bleoberis
and Sir Ector, and I will be the fourth, said Arthur. Sir, said
Launcelot, ye shall find me ready, and my brother Sir Ector, and my
cousin Sir Bleoberis. And so when they were ready and on horseback, Now
choose, said Sir Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, with whom that ye will
encounter withal. Sir, said Launcelot, I will meet with the green
knight upon the black horse (that was Sir Tristram), and my cousin Sir
Bleoberis shall match the green knight upon the white horse (that was
Sir Palamides), and my brother Sir Ector shall match with the green
knight upon the white horse (that was Sir Gareth). Then must I, said
Sir Arthur, have ado with the green knight upon the grisled horse (and
that was Sir Dinadan). Now every man take heed to his fellow, said Sir
Launcelot. And so they trotted on together; and there encountered Sir
Launcelot against Sir Tristram. So Sir Launcelot smote Sir Tristram so
sore upon the shield that he bare horse and man to the earth: but Sir
Launcelot wend it had been Sir Palamides, and so he passed forth. And
then Sir Bleoberis encountered with Sir Palamides, and he smote him so
hard upon the shield that Sir Palamides and his white horse rustled to
the earth. Then Sir Ector de Maris smote Sir Gareth so hard that down
he fell off his horse. And the noble king Arthur encountered with Sir
Dinadan, and he smote him quite from his saddle. And then the noise
turned awhile how the green knights were slain down. When the king of
Northgalis saw that Sir Tristram had a fall, then he remembered him how
great deeds of arms Sir Tristram had done. Then he made ready many
knights, for the custom and cry was such, that what knight were smitten
down, and might not be horsed again by his fellows, or by his own
strength, that as that day he should be prisoner unto the party that
had smitten him down. So came in the king of Northgalis, and he rode
straight unto Sir Tristram. And when he came nigh him he alight down
suddenly, and betook Sir Tristram his horse, and said thus: Noble
knight, I know thee not of what country thou art, but for the noble
deeds that thou hast done this day take there my horse, and let me do
as well as I may; for truly thou art better worthy to have mine horse
than I myself. Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, and if I may I shall
requite you. Look that ye go not far from us, and, as I suppose, I
shall win you another horse. And therewith Sir Tristram mounted upon
his horse, and there he met with king Arthur, and he gave him such a
buffet upon the helm with his sword that king Arthur had no power to
keep his saddle. And then Sir Tristram gave the king of Northgalis king
Arthur’s horse. Then was there great press about king Arthur for to
horse him again. But Sir Palamides would not suffer king Arthur to be
horsed again: but ever Sir Palamides smote on the right hand and on the
left hand mightily as a noble knight. And this mean while Sir Tristram
rode through the thickest of the press, and smote down knights on the
right and on the left hand, and rased off helms, and so passed forth
unto his pavilions, and left Sir Palamides on foot. And Sir Tristram
changed his horse, and disguised himself all in red, horse and harness.